Gandhi Condemns 'Brutality' Against Students, Demands Prime Ministerial Apology

Allegations of Lethal Force in Bihar and Delhi

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, launched a sharp critique of the Modi administration on July 27, 2026, following reports of violent crackdowns on student demonstrations. Gandhi specifically highlighted disturbing accounts originating from Bihar, where authorities allegedly deployed AK-47 rifles against individuals protesting irregularities in the NEET examination process. This follows a high-tension 'Sansad Chalo' march in New Delhi on July 20, where security forces utilized batons, tear gas, and pellet guns to disperse crowds, resulting in injuries to both protesters and law enforcement personnel.

A Pattern of Suppression

Gandhi asserted that a consistent strategy of intimidation exists across multiple states, including Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, and Delhi. He characterized the current administrative framework as murderous toward the youth, claiming that the government has abandoned its prior commitments. What happened to your promise that no FIRs would be filed against students and that they would be released? Gandhi questioned in a statement released via social media. He argued that the current leadership lacks the integrity required for systemic reform and will continue to prioritize suppressing dissent over addressing student grievances.

Demands for Accountability

The Congress leader leveled several direct demands at the Prime Minister's Office:

• A formal apology from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the nation's student population.
• Immediate legal action against officials and personnel responsible for the alleged brutalization of protesters.
• The cessation of FIR filings and arrests against students participating in demonstrations.

These remarks come in the wake of a statewide bandh in Bihar on July 25, led by left-wing organizations. Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, corroborated these concerns by alleging that police units utilized high-caliber firearms during a confrontation in Siwan. The unrest centers on the fallout from the NEET paper leak, an issue that has sparked national outrage and led to calls for the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

Source: The Hindu — National